The word community is derived from theLatin communitas (meaning the same),which is in turn derived from communis,which means "common, public, shared byall or many".

Communis comes from a combination of theLatin prefix com- (which means "together")and the word munis (which has to do withperforming services).

In biological terms, a community is agroup of interacting organisms sharingan environment.

In human communities,

intent,

belief,

resources,

preferences,

needs,

risks,

and a number of other conditions may bepresent and common, affecting the identityof the participants and their degree ofcohesiveness.

Traditionally in sociology, a "community"has been defined as a group of interactingpeople living in a common location.

The word is thus often used to mean an urbancommunity. However, the definition of theword has evolved and been enlarged to meanindividuals who share characteristics,regardless of their location or type ofinteraction. In this sense, "community"can mean a group of interest or an ethnicgroup.

Outreach is an activity of providing services to populations who might not otherwise haveaccess to those services. A key component of outreach is that the groups providing it arenot stationary, but mobile; in other words they are meeting those in need of outreachservices at the locations where those in need are. In addition to delivering services,outreach has an educational role, raising the awareness of existing services.

Outreach is often meant to fill in the gap in the services provided by mainstream (often,governmental) services, and is often carried out by non-profit, nongovernmental organizations.This is a major element differentiating outreach from public relations. Compared to staffproviding traditional services, Dawson et al. (2006) notes that outreach staff may be lessqualified, but is more highly motivated.

Rhodes distinguishes between three types of outreach:

domiciliary (undertaken at individual homes),

detached (undertaken in public environments and targeting individuals),

peripatetic (undertaken at public or private environments and targetingorganizations rather than individuals).

Dawson et al. lists another type in addition to those three:

the satellite type, where services are provided at a dedicated site.

Dawson et al. (2006) list the following tools of outreach: leaflets, newsletters, advertising;stalls and displays, and dedicated events, with the common location being local communityinstitutions such as libraries, community centres, markets and so on. Compared to traditionalservice providers, outreach services are provided closer to individuals residence, arevoluntary, and have fewer, if any, enforceable obligations.

Starting a community outreach program can be personally rewarding as well as a big helpto your local area by providing needed resources or services. Outreach work benefitsboth the recipients as well as to those who volunteer. Whether helping the poor orsupporting city-wide needs, community outreach will connect you with your town or cityand people from different walks of life.

1. Form a group of volunteers of like-minded people who want to help your community insimilar ways. Meet with the group of volunteers to decide how much time and effort youplan on giving to the community. Give your group of volunteers a name, and come up witha mission statement that reflects what your group wants to do for your neighbors.

2. Research the needs of the people in your community. Check with the city council, townhall, local businesses, churches and nonprofits for their opinion on what the area needs.Write down a list of projects.

3. Meet with the volunteers to set up a plan on which projects fit with your missionstatement, time commitment and numbers.

4. Make a list of goals or projects to accomplish within one year.

5. Promote your mission and goals. Write press releases, flyers and meet again with localchurches, nonprofits, and community officials to let them know about your services and work.

6. Take pictures of each project you complete, and ask for letters of support from thepeople you have helped in your community.

7. Start a nonprofit organization according to your state government standards. Visit yourstate's website for information and application on starting a 501c3.

8. Write letters to obtain donations and sponsors for your community outreach.

9. After completing some of your goals, obtaining a 501c3 status and getting donations,write to your local banking institutions to get funding through the Community ReinvestmentPrograms.

10. Apply for grants from private sector corporate foundations and the government.

11. Use the monies from the grants, donations, and sponsors to expand your outreach, suchas through an outreach center or purchasing tools to complete more projects. Conduct annualor semi-annual fundraising events. Let both local and government officials know what youare doing and enlist support from faith-based and nonprofit organizations

Tips & Warnings

Project management is key to staying organized.

Be prepared to work hard.

Don't get discouraged when you get turned down for funding.

Keep a budget and list of expenditures.

Don't sway from your mission or purpose

Don't get discouraged if and when you get turned down for funding. Keep trying

Community outreach serves two basic purposes: to provide information and provide services.Outreach comes in different forms to serve different purposes. Churches may do outreach toinform others about their ministries. Drop-in centers may provide outreach to homeless andat-risk communities to provide resources and hand out food. In addition, a nonprofit agencymay conduct outreach to let community leaders know what they have to offer.

Community outreach should reflect the needs of the population served to ensure success.

Talk to Key Figures

For community outreach to be successful, you must ensure that key figures in the communityknow what you offer. For example, if your organization provides services to at-risk youth,meet with school principals, school counselors and other area youth-serving agencies to letthem know how you can help them. Do not hesitate to announce during a chamber of commerceor Kiwanis meeting how your organization will benefit the community and how others can help.

Send Postcards

Consider sending postcards to every address in your city or service area to get the word outabout your organization. Hire a professional sales lead company in order to obtain mailinglists to "saturate" a neighborhood, target new area homeowners, or reach area apartmentcomplexes, businesses and local property owners. Professional sales lead companies can evenprovide targeted lists to reach members of the community who have medical conditions, arerecent high school or college graduates or meet other specific criteria. Churches often mailpostcards to community members to invite them to Christmas or Easter services or to let themknow about any special ministries offered.

Host a Fair

Sponsor and host a fair that helps the community and makes your organization better known. Fairideas include craft fairs, family fairs with games, cultural fairs that sell international foodsor fairs that provide important information about community resources.

Movie Night

Host a free movie night in a large area where participants can comfortably sit, like in anauditorium. Advertise the event to the community with posters hung in area business' windows.Hand out informational cards to all those who participate as they enter or leave the movie.Also, show a commercial about your organization and outline how it can help the communitybefore the movie starts. If budget allows, buy all the seats at a local theater and offerparticipants the chance to see a new movie free of charge, and ask the theater to show a videoor slideshow about your organization before the movie starts.